Robot barman makes London debut

Updated 07.21 Thu Jul 03 2008

Keywords: Japan, Asahi, beer, Selfridges, barman, Robot, London

A robot barman has made his debut at London department store, Selfridges.

The barman, who is called Mr Asahi after the Japanese beer producer Asahi is capable of serving people in under two minutes, saving the average person 13 minutes at the bar.

The barman, who is called Mr Asahi after the Japanese beer producer Asahi is capable of serving people in under two minutes, saving the average person 13 minutes at the bar

Mr Asahi is based on a PC which controls and regulates compressed air through various valves and electrical switching mechanisms to provide the animatronics required to pull a pint of beer.

It took a 200-man team to develop the robot and it cost of £100,000. Customers at Selfridges said: "It is quite unusual, it's impressive, you get served immediately, it doesn't talk back."

A bartender said when comparing herself to the robot barman: "I have more communication and I can speak to the customer and deal with them."